In a first-of-its-kind implementation at a U.S. airport, connecting travelers arriving into Dallas-Fort Worth on American Airlines flights from London Heathrow can now clear customs at their arrival gate and proceed directly to their next flight.
Customs agents are deployed to the arriving gate to clear connecting passengers; meanwhile, officials at Heathrow will have sent images of the checked baggage on that flight for U.S. customs agents to review prior to the airplane's arrival. The upshot: Passengers don't have to go back through security to connect onward, and their bags will be checked through to their final destination.
The initiative is part of the One-Stop Security pilot program, which Congress established in 2022. The TSA and U.S. Customs and Border Protection are leading the program, partnering on this first inbound implementation with American, Dallas-Fort Worth and Heathrow.
A related trial for flyers arriving at Heathrow and then connecting on to a third country began Feb. 4. Eligible passengers either arrived from Dallas on American or from Atlanta on Delta or Virgin Atlantic.
American said the new implementation in Dallas is expected to cut connection times by at least half. This month it is flying five times daily from Heathrow to Dallas.
Atlanta is expected to be the next location for an inbound One-Stop Security program trial, for Delta and Virgin Atlantic flights from Heathrow. The enabling legislation allows for up to five other tests at foreign airports to be conducted before the end of 2028 as well as further tests at U.S. airports.
One-stop Security advocates tout the program not only for its obvious travel benefits but also to enhance safety by better aligning international security standards.
In a statement July 23, the U.S. Travel Association said it had been advocating for the implementation and expansion of One-Stop Security in order to eliminate duplicative screenings and create a more seamless travel experience.